Method of manufacturing water gas



H.I L. DUHEHIY.v METHOD 0F MANUFACTURING WATER GAS. APPLICATIGN FILEDMN.9.19\2`RNEWED NOV. 26. |919.

1,409,682. A Patented Mar. 14, 1922.

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l f/ f 5 vwa nto/L @14 gtozmelw Patented Mar. 14, 1922.

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H. L. noHERTY'. METHOD 0F MANUFACTURING WATER GAS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN- 9, I9I2- HENEWED NOV. 2E. |919- I 2 man Qw 8 MNb. ha N* 4.

whatwe? HENRY L. DOHERTY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

METHOD OF MANUFACTURING WATER GAS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 14, 1922.

Application filed January 9, 1912, Seria No. 670,338. Renewed November26, 1919. Serial No. 340,797.

To all whom it may concern Be it known thatI, HENRY L. DoHER'rY, acitizen of the United States, and a resident of New York city, in thecounty of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Methods of Manufacturing later Gas, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention refers to a method of manufacturing water gas., and,inparticular, to a method which is particularly applicable to the use ofbituminous fuel in the water gas generators.

The objectof my invention is the furnshing of a method for carrying outthe manufacture of water gas in such a way as to secure the maximum heateconomy by utilizing the sensible heat of all the products of theoperation in generating steam, heating feed water for the generation ofthe steam, in assisting in the dissociation of the steam, in carbonizingbituminous fuel to form coal gas.

In the drawings I have shown a form of apparatus embodying and suitablefor carrying out my invention.

Fig. l is a diagrammatic elevation of a simple arrangement of apparatusfor the purpose of showing the gaseous circulation during the blow, withthe members of a set arranged in line for clear-ness of illustration.The plain arrows represent the circulation during a blow starting fromregenerator 2. The feathered arrows represent the circulation during ablow in the opposite direction, viz., starting from the regenerator 2.Fig. 2 is a similar diagram for the purpose of representing the4direction of flow of the gaseous currents during the gas makingoperations or runs The plain arrows represent the run from regenerator2, while the feathered arrows represent the run starting withregenerator 2. section through one-half of the apparatus on the line A-Bof Fig. 5, while Fig. a is a vertical section at right angles to that ofFig. 3 on the lines C- of Fig. 5 and E-F of Fig. 3. Fig. ois a plan viewof the apparatus.

l and l are the generators. 2 and 2 are. respectively, regeneratorsco-operating with 1 and l. 3 and 3 are steam boilers in which isgenerated the steam required in the operation of the plant, from thesensible Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal heat ofthe hot gasesresulting from the combustlon in the regenerators of the hotI gasesdischarging from the generators. 4 and 4 are water heaters for therespective boilers 3 and 3 in which the water is heated to near thetemperature at which the steam is generated by the sensible heatremaining in the gases after the same have passed through the iues ofthe respective boilers 3 and 3. Generator 1 comprises a fuel carbonizingchute, 5, a gas-making region, 6, a fuel cooling chamber, 7, and a fueldischarge hopper, 8. The corresponding parts of generator 1 are numbered5, 6', 7' and 8', respectively. As shown in the drawings, the shafts ofthe generators are broadened at the bottom of the fuel carbonizingchutes 5 and 5', respectively, so as to permit the fuel to dischargeinto the respective chambers 6 and 6' on its natural angle of repose,whereby there is formed a free gas space, 9 and 9', respectively,surroundlng the fuel cone in the upper part of the respective chambers 6and 6. At the bottoms of 6 and 6', respectively, the shaft is furtherbroadened so as to permit the fuel again to establish a truncated coneon its natural angle of repose, leaving another free gas space above thefuel surface. These latter' spaces in the two generators are numbered,respectively, 10 and, 10. As shown, the walls of the cooling chambers 7and 7 converge to` form a relatively narrow discharge opening. 66 and66. The fuel discharging through 66 and 66 falls into the fuel hoppers8and 8' of the respective generators, which hoppers are broader at thetop than the opening 66. Therefore the residual mass discharging from 66again forms a truncated conical surface on its natural angle of repose.A cylindrical wall, 78 and 78', respectively, surrounds the lowerportion of the cooling chambers 7 and. 7', respectively, of eachgenerator, forming the steam chambers ll and 11', respectively.Communicating with these steam chambers are branches, 68 and 68', ofpipes 5() and 50', respectively, which lead from the steam spaces of theboilers 3 and 3', respectively. The steam introduced into the chambers11 and ll passes into the fuel cone and up through the openings 66 and66 into the fuel mass in the coolers 7 and 7. The bottoms of the fuelhoppers 8 and 8 are closed by doors, 12 and l2', respectively. Below theV discharge doors 12 and 12' are screens or rizzlies, marked 13 and 13',respectively.

he ner particles of the material passing to the screen when drawinggenerators pass through the screen while the over-screen portion of thematerial may be received in the buggy 14, or a conveyor or anyequivalent device, and elevated to the chargin floor, 65, from which itmay be recharge into the respective fuel carbonizing chutes 5 and 5',together with the proper proportion of fresh fuel.

The valves 77 and 7 7' may be simple handoperated valves and servesimply to regulate the distribution of the steam between thecorresponding regenerator and the chamber 11 (or 11 of its co-operatinggenerator. These valves once being properly set for normal working, theflow of steam is controlled by the respective main steam valves 67 and67. The remainin valves are preferabl of a type which wil permit ofoperation rom the operating floor of the apparatus. Valves 38 and 38 areof the type customarily used on the stacks of a water gas apparatus andare operated by the chains 73. alves 40 and 40 are operated b the levers74 through the rods 75. Valves 677 and 67', are operated by the levers51', through the rods 58 .and 61, respectively. Valves 29 and 52 areoperated by the handwheels 52', through the rods 60 and 57,respectively. Valves 23 and 24 are operated by the hand-wheels 24',through the rods 29 and 26, resgectively Air valves 18 and 19 areoperate by the levers 19', through the rods 2() and 20', respectively.Valves 45 and 48, respectively, are operated by the levers 48', throughthe rods or other connections 54 and 55, respectively. The valve 26 isoperated by the wheel 26' through the stem 75.

The method of operating my apparatus to carry out my invention is asfollows:

Beds of ignited fuel having been built up in the respective generatorsaccording to the method well known in the art, the blower 16 is started,Ythe valve 18 being open and valve 19 closed. Air passes through thedischarge pipe 43 of the blower, thence through the connection 17 to thebottom of regenerator 2. Passin up through the checker in 2 the air divies, one stream passing through the connection 22, the valve 23 being oen. into the space 9 surrounding the upper uel cone of nerator 1.Passing down through the igmted fuel mass in chamber 6 the gas passesthrough the fuel into the space 10 surrounding the intermediate fuelcone, thence passes throu h the connection 21 into the space 10' ogenerator 1', thence through the fuel in chamber 6 into the space 9surrounding the upper fuel cone in this generator, thence through theconnection 22 to the upper part of regenerator 2'. In its passagethrough the fuel masses occupying chambers 6 and 6 of the respectivegenerators the oxygen of the blast is converted in part into carbonmonoxide, invariably accompanied by a relatively small proportion ofcarbon dioxide. The other sub-division of the air stream passes throu hthe connection 25 in amount controlled y valve 26, thence into the upperpart of regenerator 2. As the gas enters 2 through 22' it is gnited inany suitable manner and is burne by the air enterin through 25. Undernormal operating conditions, chambers 2 and 2' are always at a highenough temperature to ignite the gas immediately upon its issuing fromconduit 22', or 22 as the case may be, thus preventing the formation ofan explosive mixture in 2'. The products of the combustion pass downthrough the checker 27 of regenerator 2', highly heating the same,thence through the connection 28 into the s ace 30' below the lower tubesheet of boi er 3'. Passing up through the fire tubes 31' of boiler 3'the gases emerge into the space 32 above the upper tube sheet, passingthence through theI connection 33' into the space 34". above the tluesof economizer 4. Passing down through the lues 35' of economizer 4 theases emerge into the flues 36 below the ower tube sheet of theeconomizer, thence How through the flue 37' and out through the stack71', valve 38' being open and valve 40 on the connection 39 closed. Whenthe generators have been blown in this direction for the proper len h oftime the blast is reversed, valve 19 eing open and valve 18 beingclosed, the air passing throu h the passa e 17 into and through the ihly heate checker 27 in regenerator 2. Fgrom 2 one portion of the heatedair passes through 22 in the reverse direction to the former blow intothe space 9 of generator 1'. Passing down through the ignited fuel inchamber 6' generator 1 the as emerges into the gas space 10 surrouningthe intermediate fuel cone of generator 1'. From 10' the draft currentpasses through the connection 21 into the gas space 10 surrounding theintermediate fuel cone of generator 1. Passing up through the ignitedfuel occupyin the chamber 6 the gas emerges into t e space 9 around theupper fuel cone of generator 1, thence through the connection 22 intothe upper part of reenerator 2. The other sub-divisionof the eated airpasses through the fiue 25l (valve 26 being partially open as before)into the upper part of regenerator 2. As the gas enters 2 it is ignited,as before, and is burned by the air by-passing through the Hue 25.f Theproducts of combustion pass down through the checker 27 in 2` highlyheating the same, thence through the connection 28, the valve 29 beingopen, into the space 30' below the lower tube sheet of boiler 3. Passinup through the fire tubes 31 of boiler 3 t e gases emerge into the space32' `above the upper tube sheet of 3, thence pass through the connection33 to the space 34' above the upper tube sheet of economizer 4.

L,Passing down through the fines of economizer 4 the gases enter thespace 36' below the lower tube sheet of the economizer, thence passthrough the Waste gas flue 37 and stack 71, the valve 38 being open.

The apparatus is now in shape to start the manufacture of the water gas.Valves 38, 38', 18, 19, 29, 40, and 26 are closed and the valve 67 onsteam connection 50 is opened. Steam now flows from the intertubularspace 69' of boiler 3 through the pipe 50 to the lower part ofregenerator 2 and, in smaller portion, through the branch 68 into thesteam space 11 of generator 1. A portion of this subdivision of thesteam passes through the cross-connection from 11 into 11'. From 11 andll'this sub-division of the steam passes up through the openings 66 and66', respectively, and thence through the fuel in the cooling chambers 7and 7' of the respective generators, cooling the fuel and beingconverted in Whole or part into water gas in contact with the hot fuelin the upper portions of the respective cooling chambers and the fuelbeds in chambers 6 and 6' and joins the main draft current passingthrough 6 and 6', respectively. The main portion of the steam passes upthrough the highly heated `checker-work 27' of regenerator 2, thencethrough the cross-connection 22 into the gas space 9 above the upperfuel cone in chamber 6 of generator 1.

assing down through the highly heated fuel in chamber 6 the steam reactswith the carbon of the fuel, forming hydrogen and carbon monoxide andalso some carbon dioxide after the Well known water gas reaction.

In the operation of my apparatus I pass the steam through the fuel in 6at such a rate that a portion only of the same reacts with the carbon ofthe fuel. The resulting gaseous mixture, which consists of undecomposedsteam, carbon monoxide, hydrogen and carbon dioxide, emerges into thegas space l0 around the intermediate fuel cone of generator 1, thencepasses through the cross-connection 21 into the chamber 10' around theintermediate fuel cone ofgenerator l'. Passing up through the highlyheated fuel in chamber 6' most of the remainin undecomposed steam andcarbon dioxide 1s reduced to carbon monoxide and hydrogen by reactionwith the highly heated fuel in chamber 6'. From the fuel mass in chamber6' the water gas is discharged in two streams. The larger of thesestreams passes through the connection 22' into the regenerator 2',

`thence down through the checker-work 27' in 2', through the connection28' into the space 30 of boiler 3, thence through the tubes 31' ofboiler 3' into the space 32', flowing from 32' through the connection33', space 34', tubes 35', space 36' and passages 37 and 39' (valve 40being open) to the tar scrubber 42, thence to a relief holder not shown.The minor sub-division ofthe water gas passes up through the fuelcarbonizing chute 5' of generator 1' in contact with the relatively coldfuel which occupies this chamber. The gases leaving the fuel bed 6' atquite a high temperature, carbonize the fuel in the lower part of 5' andpreheat the fuel in the upper part of 5', being themselves at the sametime cooled and enriched by the gaseous products of carbonizationfinally discharging through the comparatively cold fuel in the upperpart of 5' through the passage 44', the valve 48 being open while thevalve 54 is closed. From 44 the gases pass through the passage 46 to aseparate purifying train or to the tar-extractor 42 to be mixed with themain stream of gas, as may be desired. The valves 4() on 39 and 48 on44' are so adjusted that the proportion of 90 the water gas divertedfrom 6 through 5' Will be that volume of gas which will carry suflicientheat to carbonize the raw fuel in the charge occupying chamber 5'. Bythis device I am able to secure a pre-carbonization of the raw fuelwhich constitutes a portion of the charge before the fuel has reachedthe gasifying chamber 6'. The distillation gases from the bituminousfuel in the mixture are therefore concentrated in the smallersub-division of the water gas, thus enabling me to produce a fairly goodilluminating gas in addition to the normal make of blue water gas. Byproperly regulating the volume of gas withdrawn from 5', the gas whichis drawn olf through 44' will be comparatively cool. The sensible heatof the main stream of gases which A passes through the flues of boiler3' and economizer 4 is also recuperated, heating water and gen- 110`erating steam.

The direction of the run is now reversed, valves 67, 48 and 52 and 40'being closed and valves 67', 45, 29 and 40 opened. The larger portion ofthe steam from. 3' now 115 passes through the pipe 50' into the lowerpart of regenerator 2', which has been heated by the hot gas taken olfdu'rin the previous run. A sub-division of t e steam flowing through 50'passes through the 120 branch 68', into the steam space 11' ofgenerator 1. From 11.' a portion of this steam passes through thecross-connection 70 into the steam space 11 of generator 1. The functionof this sub-division of the steam is, as 125 before, to cool the fueloccupying the cooling chambers 7 and 7 of the respective generators. Thedivision of the steam current is regulated by means of the valve 77Similarly on the first run the proper dis- 380 .bon of the fuel.

tribution of steam may be secured by manipulating valves 77. The mainstream of steam passes up through the highly heated checker 27 1nregenerator 2:, thence through the passage 22 into the gas space 9around the upper fuel cone in chamber 6. Passing down through theincandescent fuel in 6 the steam is partially dissociated into carbonmonoxide, hydrogen and carbon dioxide, as before, the resulting gasesemerging into the steam space 10 around the intermediate lower fuel coneof generator 1. Passing from 10 through the cross-connection 21 themixture of undecom sed steam, hydrogen, carbon monoxide an carbondioxide enters the gas space 10 around the intermediate fuel coneof-generator 1, passes thence up through the incandescent mass of fuelin chamber 6, where the remaining steam and the carbon dioxide are forthe most part reducedby reaction with the car- The gas collectin in thegas space 9 will consist principally o hydrogen and carbon monoxide wlthsmall proportions of undissociated steam and carbon dioxide. Thecombined gaseous current passes through the connection 22, thence downthrough the checker 27 in regenerator 2, through the connection 28 intothe space 30 of boiler 3, thence through the tubes 31 of boiler 3 into sace 32 above the u per tube sheet of 3. ischarging from 32 the gasesfiow through the connection 33 and. into the space 34 above the uppertube sheet of economizer 4, thence down through the tubes 35' ofeconomizer 4, into the space 36 below the lower tube sheet of 4, finallydischarging through the flues 37 and 39, valve 40 being open, and flowthrou h the tar scrubber 42 to a holder or to a p ace of use, as before.During this reverse run the valve 48 is closed and the valve 45 opened.A portion of the water gas is diverted from the fuel bed in 6 into andthrough the carbonizing chute 5 of generator 1. The sensible heat ofthis sub-division of the water gas is utilized, as befoie explained, tocarbonize and preheat the fuel mixture occupyin chamber 5. Thecomparativel cool gas, mixed with distillation gases o the raw coal,passes through the passages 46 to a separate purif ingtrain or to thetar-extractor 42, as esired.

In order to maintain the fuel mass occupyingr the shafts of therespective generators 1 and 1 in a condition which will permit of theready assage of the draft current passing throu the generators, I drawthe fuel through t e two generators at a rate greater than the rate atwhich it is consumed therein. After separating out the ash from thewithdrawn fuel by means of the screens 13 and 13', respectively, Ielevate the coke by means of the buggy 14 and hoist 15. or anyequivalent device, to the operating floor 65 and recharge it, togetherwith the proper proportion of raw fuel, into the carbonizing chutes 5and 5 of the respecxive generators 1 and 1.

The rate at which the fuel is passed through the apparatus will dependto a large extent upon the amount of coke which I desire to obtain andreturn to maintain the orosity of the charge. I may of course, ifesired, discard a rtion of the coke made in each passage t rou h themachine and return but a `fraction o the coke coming out. But ordinarilyI return all, or most of the coke, and run the fuel feed at such a ratethat the amount of coke discharged will be about that which I desire toreturn. Fine coke may, if desired, be discarded. The prortion ofreturned coke which is desirable 1n the charge of the generators willdepend to a great extent upon the physical character and the compositiono the articular raw material which I am usin oke from other sources maybe employe but I prefer yto work in the manner described, obtaining thecoke from the ap ratus itself.

With a highly caliih coal, such as ordinary as coal, I usual mix the twoportions o the charge in about equal ro ortions. The presence of thecoke, w ic is usually in comparatively large fragments, prevents theconsolidation of the fuel into solid masses which would otherwise beformed on heating coals of the. character mentioned Without admixture ofa non-caking material such as the returned coke I use. Interstices aretherefore maintained between the fragments of the fuel and the formationof any impervious la e is revented. I am thus able to keep e fue in acondition which will permit of the passage of the draft current of thegenerators with very little back. pressure, and can therefore blast at ave high velocity, whereby I am able to distrlbute with a fair degree ofuniformity the heat burden of the gas making operation between the twogenerators.

The fine ash and also the coke breeze may, and advanta ously will beseparated from th,I coke disciearged prior to returning such co e.

The runs are continued until undissociated steam begins to come off fromthe generators in considegable amount. When this occurs the run is stopd and the generators again blasted, as previously described.

It is evident that a very considerable latitude ma be rmitted in fixingandregulating the uratlon and direction of flow of the gas currents inthe heating and gas-making operations (called in the art the blowand rumrespectively). With properly designed ap aratus, I consider itadvantageous to blow or about one-half minute in each direction and thenrun for about two and one-half minutes in each direction. It is obvious,however, that the exact arrangement adopted may be varied to suit theconditions in any given case.

It is apparent that by careful regulation of the proportion of the Watergas which is drawn through the Carbonizing chutes 5 and 5 I am able tosecure a gas of comparatively high illuminating value, and which may, infact, be substituted for ordinary coal gas in most of the uses to whichthat gas is put. By my invention I am thus able to make both blue watergas and illuminating gas, or, by combining the two gases in the mannershown, I can make an enriched Water gas, as I may prefer.

While I have shown two co-operating gasgenerating chambers, with anindividual regenerator, boiler and water heater for each generator, itis plain that by conducting the run upward through the fuel column I maycarr out my process in a single set comprising generator, regenerator,boiler and Water heater, with the appurtenant blower, tar extractor,etc., although this would necessitate blowing the fuel bed with coldair. By adding an additional regenerator, however, the process could becarried out as described With a single generator, although not asadvantageously as with two or more generators in series according to thearrangement shown and described.

On the other hand, it is plain that I may use a number of generators inseries, the limit being fixed by the aggregate resistance offered to thepassage of the draft current by the fuel beds of thegenerators. Whenthis back pressure exceeds the capacity of the blowers used it is notpossible to force the draft current through the generators in sufficientvolume.

While in order to secure illuminating gas by my process (without the useof special enriching means such as liquid hydrocarbons) it is necessary,of course, to use a certain proportion of bituminous fuel, still many ofthe novel steps of my process may be carried out with a non-bituminousfuel such as hard anthracite or coke. It is therefore to be understoodthat in the accompanying;l claims the fuel specified may be eitherbituminous or non-bituminous.

The advantage of, making water gas from bituminous fuel, with theutilization of the bituminous matter of the fuel, will, however, beobvious to anyone skilled'inthe art.

Similarly, I do not conineimyself to the exact method of operationdescribed as the most advantageous one, but may'follow a blow in onedirection with a run in the same or an opposite direction, as I may deemexpedient in any given case.

It is obvious that, instead of using a sepa rate boiler and heater foreach regenerator, I may carry out my process by using one large boilerand heater for a plurality of generators. Similarly, I do not limitmyself to the use of any particular type of boiler and water heater incarrying out my process.

It is to be understood that I reco ize the advantages that would beobtained in carrying out my process by substituting a relatively pureoxygen for air should the future progress in the art make the formereconomically available. Therefore the Word air in the followin claims isused in a broad enough sense to include either air, free oxygen, or anysuitable gaseous fluid containing free ox en.

I do not in t is application claim broadly the method of running aproducer in which fuel is transmitted therethrough at a rate reater thanthe rate of consumption of such uel therein with return of unconsumedfuel for admixture'vvith the fresh fuel, this forming part of thesubject matter of my copending application Ser. No. 660,453, filed Nov.15th, 1911, Patent No. 1,187,051, granted June 13, 1916.

It is not essential to my method that the three distinct sections ofeach of the' fuel bodies should be in superimposed relationship and inthe same fuel conduit. Such relationship is, however, highlyadvantageous since it facilitates the carrying out of my process andeconomizes in the operating labor required. If for any reasonpreferred-forexample, in adapting old plants operating under the oldmethod of making Water gas, to carry out my process-the three sectionsof each fuel unit may be maintained in separate containers. It is simplynecessary to have for what corresponds to a single fuel body, in myapparatus, three portions of fuel maintained in functional relationshipin such manner that they are at the same time, respectively, subjectedto carbonization, combustion and cooling.

The purpose of using a mixture of coke and raw fuel in the fresh chargeis to maintain the fuel bod in a condition permitting 110 ready passageo the draft current. Were the charge made up entirely of raw cokingcoal, the formation of pasty aggregates during the coking operationWould offer such an obstruction to the passage of the draft cur- 115rent as would seriously interfere with the operation of the apparatus.By the expedient of, so to speak, diluting the raw coal with preformedcoke the fragments of raw coal which are in contact in any one mass 120are comparatively few. Therefore, when the charge has reached the cokingzone, in which the temperature is suicient to partially fuse the rawcoal, the size of the coke masses formed must be necessarily small 125since only those particles or fragments of the coal which are in actualcontact can agglomerate. Therefore I am able notwithstanding the use ofcoking coal, to maintain a sufficient proportion of interstices in the130 fuel mass to permit a free and ready flow of the draft current.

In a smilai' manner, by drawing the lower portion of the fuel body at a'rate materially greater than the rate at which the fuel is burned in thegenerators I insure the presence of a relatively large proportion ofcoke or carbonized fuel in the material occu ying the lower portion ofthe fuel body so t at at no time is there any considerable quantit offree ash in a single mass in the fuel be the carbonized fuel, as in thecoking region, divides the fusible portion of the charge up into a largenumber of relatively small masses. It is therefore impossible for theYash to form any extensive layer of clinkers in the lower portion of thefuel body, which would obstruct the draft. Clinkers are formed simply bythe agglomerating of such particles of softened ash as are in actualcontact. By interposing fragments or groups of fragments of non-fusiblecoke between small bodies of free ash the size of the clinkers formed islimited to that resulting from the union of the ash particles in actualcontact.

The proportion of coke which it is necessary to maintain in the ashregion of the generator to thus maintain the fuel body in a conditionpermitting the free passage of the draft current, will vary with thequantity and character of the ash of the fuel. When this is easilyfusible, more coke is required than when it is diflicultly fusible.Also, when the proportion of ash in the fuel is high the presence ofmore coke is reuired in the ash zone to prevent clinkering t an when theproportion of ash is low.

Having described my invention, what I claim is:

1. lA method of making gas, comprising passing fuel in columns throughtwo or more furnaces at such a rate that a part of the fuel leaving thefurnace will be unburned, igniting fuel in the columns, blowing airthrough the ignited fuel in said columns 1n series, passing steamthrough said heated columns `in series at a rate to partially decomposesaid steam in the first column and more completely decompose the steamin the following columns, and diverting a portion of gas formed by thedecomposition of said steam and passing it through fresh fuel in one ormore of said columns to carbonize the same. y

2. A process of making water gas and enriched gas, which comprisesintroducing and passing through one of two fuel beds which are infunctional cooperation'a draft current of air, introducing into andpassing through the second of said fuel beds the products of thereaction of the air with the first of said fuel beds, whereby the saidfuel beds are highly heated, introducing into and passing through one ofthe said fuel beds a current of steam at a rate faster than the rate ofreaction therein, introducin into and passing through the second of saidfuel beds the products of the reaction of the said steam with the carbonof the first of said fuel beds, whereby the major portion of the steamintroduced is converted by reaction with the carbon of the said fuelbeds into water gas at the expense of the sensible heat previouslycommunicated to the said fuel beds, diverting a portion of said watergas, and passing another portion of the said gas in contact with freshfuel to carbonize the said fuel and to become enriched.

3. 4A method of generating water gas, which comprises moving a column ofignited fuel through each of two gas-generating chambers which are infunctional cooperation at a rate greater than the rate of combustion ofsaid fuel to maintain said fuel columns in a condition permitting readypassage of the draft current, passing a stream of air in series first inone direction and then in the reverse direction through the fuel in saidgas-generating chambers, whereby the fuel in said chambers is highlyheated, and passing a current of steam first in one direction and thenin the reverse direction through the said highly heated fuel whereby thesaid steam is converted into watergas.

4. A process of making water gas, which Acomprises passing through eachof two gasmaking chambers a body of ignited fuel at a rate greater thanthe rate of combustion of said fuel in said chambers, blasting the fuelin the said chambers first in one direction and then in the reversedirection by a current of air, whereby the fuel in said beds is highlyheated and the major part of the oxygen of said air converted intocombustible gas, burning the said combustible gas by another portion ofair to heat refractory material and to generate steam, and passing steamfirst in one direction and then in the reverse direction through thefuel in said gas-making chambers after said steam has been heated bycontact with the so-lieated refractory material.

5. A method of making water gas, comprising passing fuel in columnsthrough two `or more furnaces at suoli a rate that a part of the fuelwill leave the furnace unburned, igniting the fuel of the columns,blowing air through the ignited fuel of said columns in series, first inone direction and then reversing and blowing air through the series inthe opposite direction, burning the exhaust products in refractory-linedregenerators by supplying Vadditional air to said products, passing theexhaust products from the regenerators into heat-transferring relationwith water to generate steam, and passing said steam through saidair-heated columns in series to generate gas.

6. A method of making water gas, comprising passing fuel in columnsthrough two or more furnaces at such a rate that a 'part of the fuelwill leave the furnaces unburned, recovering unconsumed fuel from saidfurnaces and returning said fuel to the furnaces in admixture with freshfuel, igniting fuel in the intermediate portions only of said columns,blowing air through said columns in series, first in one directlon andthen blowing air through the series in the opposite dlrection, andpassing steam through said heated fuel columns in series, first in onedirection and then through the series in the opposite direction.

7. A method of generating water gas and enriched gas, which comprisespassing a col` umn of fuel through each of two as-making chambers whichare in functional cooperation, passing a current of air through themiddle portion of the said fuel columns to heat the fuel in said middleportions of the said fuel columns, passing steam in contact with theso-heated fuel in the said middle portions of the said columns, wherebymore or less of the said steam is converted into water gas, andwithdrawing a ortion of the said water gas in contact with the fuel inthe upper portion of the said fuel columns to carbonize and preheat saidfuel and to generate enriched gas.

8. A process of manufacturing water gas and enriched gas from bituminousfuel, which comprises passing a column of fuel through a gas-makingchamber at a rate greater than the rate of combustion in said chamber,alternately blasting the fuel in the lower portion only of the saidcolumn first with air to heat the said fuel in said lower portion andthen with steam to make water gas, and passin a portion of the saidwater gas through ne fuel in the upper part of said fuel column tocarbonize the bituminous fuel in said portion of said column and toproduce enriched gas.

9. A method of making water gas and enriched gas from bituminous fuel,which comprises passing a column of fuel through a gas-making chamber ata rate greater than the rate of combustion of the said fuel in saidchamber, separating from the material discharging from the said chamberthe unconsumed fuel in said material, returning said unconsumed fuel inadmixture with a fresh portion of bituminous fuel to the upper part ofsaid fuel column, passing a current of air through the lower portion ofsaid column to heat the same by combustion of a portion of the fue]therein, passing steam through the so-heated fuel to generate water gas,and passing a portion of the hot water gas so generated through the fuelin the upper part of said column, the volume of the said portion ofwater gas being that which will carry sufficient sensible heat tocarbonize the bituminous fuel in the said upper portion of thesaidcolumn.

10. A method of making water gas and enriched gas, which comprisespassing fuel through a plurality of cooperating gasmaking chambers at arate greater than the rate of combustion of said fuel in said cham bers,separating the unconsumed portion of said fuel from the materialdischarging from said chambers, admixing said unconsumed fuel with aportion of bituminous fuel and recharging said mixture into the upperportion of said fuel columns, blasting the lower portion of each of thefuel columns in the said plurality of gas-making chambers with a draftcurrent which initially consists of air, the said draft current beingpassed serially through the said chambers, passing a current of steamthrough the fuel in said chambers in reverse direction to the directionof flow of said air, whereby water gas is formed at the expense of thesensible heat communicated to said fuel by the combustion of a portionof the same with the oxy en of the said air, and passin a portion of t eso-formed hot water gas tlirough the fuel mixture in the upper part ofthe fuel columns in the said chambers, the volume of the said portion ofhot water gas being that which will supply sufficient heat to carbonizethe bituminous fuel in the said upper portion of said fuel columns.

11. A method of making water gas and enriched gas, which comprisespassing a column of fuel through each of several cooperating gas-makingchambers at a rate greater than the rate of combustion of the said fuelin said chambers, separating the unconsumed portion of the materialdischarging from said chambers from the free ash in said material andreturning the said unconsumed material in admixture with a fresh portionof bituminous fuel to the upper part of the said fuel columns, passing acurrent of air through the fuel in the lower portions of the said fuelcolumns to heat said fuel arid to generate combustible gas, burning saidcombustible gas with a second portion of air to heat a body of refractormaterial, passing a current of steam rst in contact with said heatedrefractory material and then through the heated fuel in the lowerportions of the fuel columns in the said gas-making chambers, wherebythe major portion of said steam is converted into water gas, and passinga portion of the said water gas through the fuel mixture in the upperportions of the fuel columns in said gas-making chambers, the volume ofthe said portion of water gas being that which will carry sufficientsensible heat to carbonize the bituminous fuel in the 'said upperportions of the said columns.

a furnace, igniting a mid portion of the fuel in the column, blowing airthrough said mid portion to develop a high temperature therein, passingsteam through said heated portion to generate water gas, burning theexhaust products of said blasting operation in refractory heatregenerators, passing the hot water gas through said regenerators,passing` the exhaust gases and water gas from said regenerators intoheat-trans erring relationship with water to generate steam, andutilizing said enerated steam for forming water gas rom said fuelcolumn.

13. A method of making water gas, comprising passing fuel in columnsthrough two or more furnaces at such a rate that a part of the fuel willleave the furnace unburned, igniting the fuel of the columns, blowingair through the ignited fuel of said columns in series, passing steamthrough said airheated columns m series to enerate water gas, burningexhaust gases o said blastin operation in heat regenerators, passing saiwater gas and the exhaust ases from said regenerators into heat-transerring relation with water to generate steam, superheating said steam insaid regenerators, and utilizing said superheated steam in thegeneration of water gas. i

14. A method of generatin water as, which comprises passin a co umn ofuel through each of a plura ity of gas-generating chambers, alternatelymaintaining combustion in an intermediate section of the fuel columns ineach of the said plurality of chambers to heat the fuel in saidintermediate sections and blowing the so-heated intermediate sections ofthe said fuel columns with steam to generate water gas, and passing asecond portion of steam in contact with the fuel in the lower sectionsof the said fuel columns to cool said fuel.

15. A method of generatin water as, which comprises passin a co umn ofel through each of a plura ity of lgas-generating chambers at a rategreater t an the rate of combustion in said chambers, alternatelymaintaining combustion in an intermediate section of the said fuelcolumns by blowing a current of air therethrough and generating watergas in the so-heated intermediate sections of the said fuel columns bypassing a current of steam into them, passing a second portion of tsteam in contact with the lower portions of the said fuel columns tocool the same withdrawing the mixture of unconsumed fuel and ash fromthe lower portions of the said fuel columns, separating the nnconsumedfuel from the material withdrawn, and returning the said unconsumed fuelin admixture with fresh bituminous fuel to the upper portions of thesaid fuel columns.

16. A method of generating gas, which boiler to comprises passing acolumn of-f-uel through each of a plurality of gas'generating chambers,alternately maintaining a simultaneous exothermic combustion in anintermediate section of the fuel column in each of the said plurality ofgas-generating Chambers to heat the fuel in said intermediate sectionsand blowing the so-heated intermediate sections of the said fuel columnsin series with steam to generate water gas, passing` a second ortion ofsteam in contact with the fuel in t e lower sections of the said fuelcolumns to cool said fuel, and assing a portion of the water as formethrough the upper portions of t e said fuel columns in alternation tocarbonize bituminous fuel in the same.

17. A method of generating water s, comprising passing a column of gelthrough each of a plurality of gas-generating chambers, igniting thefuel 1n an intermediate portion of said columns, blowing air in seriesthrough said ignited portions of said columns, passing steam throughfuel advancin away from said intermediate portions in a ernationcountercurrent to the fuel movement to cool said fuel, passin said steamthrough said intermediate portions to generate water gas, and passingheated water as from said intermediate portions through `uel advancingtoward said intermediate portions countercurrent to the movement of saidfuel to progressively carbonize lthe same.

18. A method of making water gas and enriched gas, which comprises`passing a. column of fuel through each of a plurality of gas-makingchambers, blasting 1n series the intermediate portions of each of saidfuel columns with air to heat the said intermediate portions of the saidcolumns and to generate combustible gas, burning said combustible gaswith a second portion of air to heat a body of refractory material,assing the products of said combustion a ter the same have beencontacted with the said refractory material through the flues of agenerate steam, passing steam in contact with the so-heated refractorymaterial, passing said steam in series through the heated intermediatesection of each of the said fuel columns to generate water gas, passin asecond portion of steam in contact with t e lower portions` of the saidfuel columns in alternation to cool the fuel in the same, and passing aportion of the water gas formed in contact with the upper portion ofeach of the said fuel columns in alternation to carbonize the bituminousfuel in the said upper portions of the said columns to form enrichedgas.

19. A method of making water gas and enriched gas, which comprisespassing a column of fuel through a gas-making chamber at a rate greaterthan the rate of comaor bustion of the said fuel in said chamber,passing a current of air through an intermediate portion of the fuel bedin the said chamber to heat said fuel and to generate combustible gas,burning said combustible gas with a second portion of air to generatesteam, passing said steam int-o contact directly with the intermediatesection of the fuel column in said chamber. and passing a second portionof said steam through the fuel in the lower portion of the said columnto cool said fuel and to generate a further portion of Water gas.

20. A method of making water gas. comprising passing fuel in columnsthrough two or more furnaces at such a rate that part of the fuel willleave the furnace unliurncd, recovering unconsumed fuel from saidfurnaces and returning the saine in admixture with fresh fuel to thefurnaces. igniting the fuel of said columns, blowing air through theignited fuel of said columns in series first in one direction and thenthrough the series in the opposite direction, passing exhaust air blastroducts from said columns into heattrans erring relation with water togenerate steam, and passing a part of said steam through the heated fuelcolumns in series first in one direction and then through the series inthe opposite direction.

21. A process of manufacturing water gas and enriched gas frombituminous fuel,

which comprises passing a column of fuel being that which through agas-making chamber at a rate greater than the rate of combustion in saidchamber, the rate of passage of said fuel will insure the presence inthe lower portion of the said fuel column of a suflicient proportion ofcarbonized fuel to maintain the said lower portion in a condition easilypenetrable by the draft current passing therethrough, alternatelyblasting the fuel in the lower portion only of the said column firstwith air to heat the said fuel in said lower portion and then with steamto make water gas, and passing a portion of the said water gas throughthe fuel in the upper part of said fuel column to carbonize thebituminous fuel and to form enriched gas.

22. A process of making Water gas, comprising simultaneously assing fuelin a column through several urnaces at a rate which will insuresufficient carbonized fuel throughout the columns to maintain acondition for the read passage of gas therethrough, igniting uel in anintermediate portion of salid columns, blasting air through said ignitedportions of the columns in series, burning exhaust blast gases from thecolumns in a refractory regenerator, superheating steam in saidregenerator and passing it in series through said heated intermediateportions to form water gas, and diof the column, b

recting a portion of the water gas as generated throng-h an upperportion of the fuel columns in alternation to carbonize bituminous fueltherein.

23. A process of making Water gas, comprising continuously passing fuelin a coluinn through a furnace at a rate which will insure suicientcarbonized fuel throughout the column to maintain a condition for theready passage of gas therethrough, igniting fuel in an intermediateportion of said column. intermittently blasting air through said portionto develop a high temperature therein, passing steam through saidintermediate portion to generate water gas, passing a portion of saidwater gas as generated through fuel advancing toward said intermediateportion to carbonize the same, and separately collecting said Water gasand said coal carbonization gas.

24. A method of making water gas, comprising continuously passing fueldownwardly in a column through a furnace at a rate which will insuresufficient carbonized fuel throughout the column to maintain a conditionfor the ready passage of gas therethrough, igniting an intermediateportion of said column, intermittently blasting air through said portionto develop a high temperature therein, passing steam through saidportion between blasting operations to generate water gas, passing watergas as generated through the upper portlon of said fuel column tocarbonize the same, and passing a separate portion of steam upwardlythrough the lower portion of said column to rarrythe heat of the fuel insaid lower portion to said intermediate portion. 25. A method of makingwater gas, comprising passing fuel in a furnace, igniting a mid portiononly of the fuel in the column, blasting air through said mid portion todevelop a high temperature therein, burning the exhaust products of saidblasting operation to furnish heat for generating steam, and passingsaid generated steam through said fuel column to form water as.

26. method of making Water gas, comprising passing fuel in a columnthrou h a furnace, igniting a mid portion only o the fuel in the column,blasting air through said mid portion to develop a high tem eraturetherein, burning the exhaust ro ucts of said blasting operation tofurnish heat for generating steam and for superheating said steam, andpassing said superheated steam through said fuel column to form watergas.

27. A method of making water gas, comprising passing fuel in a columnthrough a furnace, ignitin fuel in the upper portion astin air throughsaid portion to develop a higlgi temperature therein, burning theexhaust products of said blastcolumn through a ing operation to furnishheat for generating steam, superheating a part of said steam and passingit through the heated portion of said fuel column to generate water gas,and passing another' part of said steam directly through fuel advancingaway from said heated portion and countercurrent to the fuel movement tocool the same.

28. A method `of making water gas, comprising passing fuel in a columnthrough a furnace, igniting a mid portion of the fuel in said column,intermittently blasting air through said mid portion only in a directionlongitudinally of the column to develop a high temperature in saidportion, and passing steam through said mid portion to form water as.

29. method of making water gas, comprising passing fuel in a columnthrough a furnace, igniting a mid portion of the fuel in said column`intermittently blasting air through said mid portion only in a directionlongitudinally of the column first in one direction and then in theopposite direction to develop a high temperature in said portion,passing steam through said heated portion to form water gas, and passinggas through the fuel column in a direction countercurrent to thedirection of movement of the fuel in the column.

3U. A method of making water gas, comprising passing fuel in a columnthrough a furnace, igniting a mid portion of the fuel in the column,intermittently blasting air through said mid portion only in a directionlongitudinally of the column to develop a high temperature therein, andpassing steam through said fuel column countercurrent to the directionof movement of the fuel therein to carbonize fresh fuel advancing towardsaid mid .portion and to cool the fuel and ash advancing away from saidmid portion.

31. A method of making water gas, comprising passing fuel in a columnthrough a furnace at such a rate that a part of the fuel will leave thefurnace unburned, igniting a portion of the fuel in said column,intermittentl blasting air in said mid portion onl and 1n a directionlon 'tudinally of said co umn, passing steam irough said mid portion toform water gas, and recovering the unconsumed fuel discharged from saidfurnace and returning it with fresh fuel to said column.

32. A method of making water gas, comprising passing fuel in a columnthrough a furnace, igniting the fuel in the column, blasting air throughsaid column to develop a high temperature therein, burning the exhaustproducts of said blasting operation in refractory heat regenerators,superheating steam in said regenerators and passing it through saidheated fuel column to form water gas, passing said water gas throughsaid regenerators to reheat the saine, and passingrsaid blasting airthrough said reheated regenerators to preheat the air for blasting.

33. A process of making combustible gas, comprising passing fuel in acolumn through a furnace, igniting thefuel in the mid portion of saidcolumn, blasting air through said mid portion to raise the temperaturethereof, heating a regenerator with the exhaust combustlon products fromsaid mid portion throu h a regenerator, and passing water vapor t roughsaid regenerator and into said heated mid portion to produce gas.

34. A process of making combustible gas, comprising passing fuel in acolumn through a furnace, i niting the fuel in the. mid portion of saicolumn, blasting air through said mid portion to raise the temperaturethereof, heating a regenerator with the eX- haust products of combustionfrom said mid portion, passing water vapor through said regenerator intothe said heated mid portion, and passing another portion of water vaporupwardly through the lower portion of said column into said mid portion.

35. A process of making combustible gas, comprising passing fuel in acolumn through a furnace, igniting the fuel in the mid portion of saidcolumn, blasting air through said mid portion to raise the temperaturethereof, utilizing the hot combustion products for generatlng steam,passing said steam through said regenerator and into said heated midportion, and passing gas throughout said fuel column in a directioncounter-current to the advance of the fuel in the column.

36. A process of making combustible gas, comprising passing fuel in acolumn through a furnace, igniting the fuel in the mid portion of saidcolumn, blasting air through said mid portion to raise the temperaturethereof, utilizing the hot combustion products for generating steam,passingha portion of said steam through said regenerator and into saidheated mid portion, and assing another art of said steam upwardl throughthe ower portion of said fuel co umn into said heated mid portion, andpassing gas from said mid portion through fuel advancing thereto.

37. A method of generatin combustible gas, comprising moving a co umn offuel through each of the two gas generators havmg cross connections forfunctional cooperation, blasting air through a lower portion only of thesaid fuel columns in alternation, maintaining fuel distilling zonesabove the heated blast zones, directing steam into the .heated blastzones in alternation, and passmg gas formed by the steam through thefuel distilling zones.

38. A method of generating combustible gas, comprising moving a columnof fuel through each of two gas generators having cross connections forfunctional cooperation, blasting air longitudinally of the fuel columnthrou h a lower portlon only of the columns in a ternation, maintainingfuel distilling zones above the heated blast zones, directing steam intothe blast zones in alternation, and directing the steam aseslongitudinally of the blast zones and t e distilling zones.

39. A method of generating combustible as, comprising passing fuel in acolumn t rough a furnace, blowing air into a lower portion of the columnto maintain combustion therein maintaining a fuel distilling zone abovethe blast zone, preventing the blast combustion ases from enterin thedistillin zone, andg sing steam longitudinally o the fuel co umn throughthe blast and the distilling zones.

40. A method of generating combustible gas, comprising passing fuel in acolumn ownwardly through a u into a lower portion of the column tomaintain eombustlon therein, maintaining a fuel distillin zone above theblast zone, preventing the last combustion ses from entering thedistilling zone, passin steam thron h the blast zone and u ward ythrough t e distilling zone and uti izing the waste blast gases forpreheating air and steam being passed into the fuel column.

Signed at New York cit in the county of New York and State of ew York,this 8th day of J an., A. D. 1912.

HENRY L. DOHERTY.

Witnesses:

H. A. MACKENzIE, JOHN J. MoCLmw.

rnnce, blowing air Certificate of Correction.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,409,682, grantedMarch 14, 1922, upon the spolication of Henry L. Doherty, of New York,N. Y., for sn improvement in "Methods of Manufacturing Water Gas, errorsappear in the printed specification requiring correction es follows:Page 3, line 66, for the reference numeral 3 read 3'; page 4, line 12,strike out the word lower"; page 8, line 91, claim 17, for themisspelled word "alernetion read aternatm; pil-ge l0, )i110 76, claim33, strike out the words "through s. regenerator; and that the saidLetters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that thesame may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Omce.

signed ma misa this son. day of May, A. D., 1922. A

mL FENNING,

[sinn] 0mg 0mm of Pm.

